We’re looking forward to adding the feathered friends who visit our bird feeders to the Great Backyard Bird Count, which takes place Feb. 18-21, 2022. The goal of the annual Great Backyard Bird Count, a citizen science project, is to count as many birds as participants can find, and report those findings back to the organizers, which include the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.

The observations and reports made by regular backyard bird observers help scientists better understand global bird populations before one of their annual migrations.

Want to participate? It’s easy! Here’s how:

1. Decide where you will watch birds.

2. Watch birds for 15 minutes or more, at least once over the four days, February 18-21, 2022.

3. Count all the birds you see or hear within your planned time/location and use the best tool for sharing your bird sightings. If you are a beginning bird admirer and new to the count, try using the Merlin Bird ID app. If you have participated in the count before, try eBird Mobile app or enter your bird list on the eBird website.